THE PERFUME DIARIES

I have always wanted to do a post exclusively on perfumes but I had to take time to gather my many thoughts on this subject…and now it’s finally here!

Let me start by saying that like most women out there, I love perfume! I have worn so many different fragrances over the years. But I can bet you that people who know me couldn’t pinpoint one particular perfume I really wore, or that I smelled like anything special at all. I believe it’s because I never really had what people call a “signature fragrance.” I just love changing things up and trying new things. There are definitely fragrances I have worn for years, but I never wore one exclusively and ultimately, I stopped wearing all my perfumes at a certain point in my life. I also only wear light floral or citrus scents during the day which fade after two hours. I was never that girl with the scent lingering behind them. I would wear a heavier fragrance only at night.

Photo: Emma Payne, SXC

The reason I love perfumes is because of its power to make you feel attractive in an instant and its ability to hold special memories. I can probably even remember what a few of my girlfriends wore. Emma used L'Eau d'Issey for a couple of years and its woody, earthy smell always reminds me of her. I think Cathy once wore an Anna Sui perfume that smelled really fresh and fruity. Isabel wears very light scents. She probably wore L'eau Par Kenzo once (because I did too!). Angela once wore Lacoste Pour Femme which smelled really nice and my dearest childhood friend Celine used to cover herself with Victoria's Secret Strawberries and Champagne Fragrance Mist. I miss her a lot whenever I encounter that scent. 

So, in tribute to perfumes, I thought I’d play a little game. I’d let you in on some of my favorites and you’d share yours as well (only if you want to of course!). I normally go for citrus florals or woody florals when it comes to perfume. So, let’s get started:


A FRAGRANCE I TOTALLY LOVE RIGHT NOW…is actually a tie between these two perfumes at the moment.

Benefit Laugh with me LeeLee eau de toilette

This smells like Europe in a bottle to me…a field of flowers in an English garden or perhaps a garden in Paris. It is fresh, feminine and sophisticated. Top notes are cassis, melon and citrus. Middle notes are black violet, lily and jasmine. Base notes are blonde wood, amber and santal. I love, love, love this!! It is perfect for day or night.

Tous Touch eau de toilette

This fragrance from Spanish brand Tous is quite sweet, and I normally don’t like sweet scents or vanilla scents (my sister loves them though!). But this has an interesting mix of floral, fruity and sweet notes. It’s warm and fresh at the same time. It smells like jasmine mixed with honey and it is just delicious! Top notes are lotus, lily of the valley and freesia. Middle notes are jasmine, osmanthus, tiare flower. Base notes are blueberry, raspberry, vanilla and honey-coated almonds. Yum!! I prefer to wear this at night.

A DISCONTINUED FRAGRANCE I REALLY MISS…are actually three that are now gone but not forgotten.

The Body Shop Cassis Rose eau de toilette

This remains my all-time favorite Body Shop scent. I still can’t believe they discontinued it! I also had the body spray. Really fresh, fruity and girly…it was the perfect light rose scent. Top notes were raspberry and blackcurrant. Middle notes were rose, freesia and violet. Base notes were musk, sandalwood and cedar. It was the best fruity floral for me! I miss this!

Calgon Turquoise Seas Body Mist

I must have gone through 5 bottles of this stuff in my early twenties. I would always buy the small one so I could stash it easily in my bag and just continue spraying it on myself the whole day. It just smells like salty sea air, ocean waves and the beach…just an amazing aquatic fragrance. I recently heard Calgon is bringing it back due to insistent public demand. That’s how great this is!

Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Water

I used up two big bottles of this a long time ago. I loved it! It smells like a bouquet of lavender flowers mixed with that fresh just-out-of-the-shower smell. Really clean scent. Crabtree & Evelyn now have a new and different version called Lavender eau de toilette. I haven’t tried that one yet.

MY FAVORITE FRAGRANCE FOR MEN…are these wonderful three. 

CK One (Calvin Klein)

I will always love CK One! It is a unisex fragrance but I think it smells great on men. It also reminds me of high school as a lot of people wore this in the mid-nineties. I think my brother still wears this today. Great iconic, clean and fresh scent! Top notes are bergamot, cardamom, pineapple, papaya. Middle notes of jasmine, violet, rose, nutmeg. Base notes are musk and amber. 

Acca Kappa Acqua di Colonia

Muschio Bianco (White Moss)

This is another great unisex scent. I bought this for my husband Marc once and then I ended up using it too. So we finished that bottle up in no time! This has notes of lavender, juniper, wood, amber and moss. It is just so fresh and clean. I love it!

Drakkar Noir (Guy Laroche)

This is the epitome of a wonderful, powerful, masculine scent. I have a secret. I was once addicted to Drakkar. My dad used to wear this when I was younger and when he wasn't looking, I would grab it from his bathroom counter and sniff it everyday. It just smelled so great and I think every man should wear this once in their life. Notes are lavender, citrus, spicy berries and sandalwood. 

A FRAGRANCE HIGH ON MY WISH LIST…are these two that I just can't get out of my mind.

Gucci Guilty eau de toilette

This perfume is just AMAZING!! I smelled this recently at Sephora and went crazy spraying it all over myself in the store. I had to stop myself from buying it because in China, international luxury perfumes are incredibly expensive due to the high taxes placed upon them. Since this is already a pricey fragrance, I decided to wait and not buy this until I get to a duty-free shop. Gucci Guilty has top notes of pink pepper, heart of lilac, and base notes of amber and patchouli. You just have to smell it to believe the beauty of this fragrance. I am definitely willing to wait for this one.

Chloe Eau de Parfum

I smelled a sample of this in a magazine and thought it was AWESOME. It smells really elegant and sophisticated. I am waiting to get to a duty free for this one too. Top notes are pink peony, freesia and lychee. Middle notes are rose, lily of the valley, magnolia. Base notes are cedarwood, amber and honey. You can definitely smell the soft and fresh scent of roses here and it's done in a very subtle way. Great perfume! 

So these are what's in my perfume diaries for now. How about you? Would love to hear some of your choices. If you have time, complete the following sentences and let me in your perfume diaries as well...

1. A fragrance I totally love right now...

2. A discontinued fragrance I really miss...

3. My favorite fragrance for men...

4. A fragrance high on my wish list...

BEAUTY THE KOREAN WAY

Beauty products from Korean brand Mamonde

South Korean beauty brands are extremely popular in China and in the past few years, they have been emerging into other Asian markets and into the U.S. as well. I once read an article in Marie Claire online where a beauty guru stated that South Korea’s skincare products are years ahead of the U.S. and simply outpacing other countries when it comes to innovation and technology. Just like Japan, South Korean beauty brands now have some of the most talked-about skincare products in the market. Lately, I have become a big fan myself with my new love…Korean skincare brand, Mamonde. I am now an official believer in the power of Korean beauty brands. Mamonde is available in South Korea, in Sephora stores around China and in Hong Kong. Most of their products are also available online.

Mamonde Age Control Ultra Repair Cream

Mamonde Age Control Ultra Repair Cream 50ml (289rmb) (US$46)

I was never really particular about using anti-aging creams on my face until after I turned 30. I also tend to switch brands a lot since I hadn’t really found that one cream that had a “wow effect” on my skin…that is until now! After using up a small sample of Mamonde Age Control Ultra Repair Cream from Sephora, I really noticed an incredible improvement on my skin. It felt so much softer and looked smoother and brighter. This cream is just amazing to me, and is the first product I actually recall rushing out to buy simply from trying the sample. So far, it is fantastic and I highly recommend it.

This premium nourishing cream restores the skin’s functions with two key anti-aging ingredients: Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) and EGCG. Maitake, also known as the king of mushrooms, has a regenerative effect on the skin by revitalizing skin cells in only 12 hours. EGCG is a powerful antioxidant that is extracted from 100% pure organic green tea, which protects tissues from damage and promotes collagen generation.

KOREAN INNOVATION: THE MAGIC OF BB CREAMS

Mamonde Total Solution Mineral Watery BB Cream SPF30+

Mamonde Total Solution Mineral Watery BB Cream 40ml (145rmb) (US$23)

I am a big fan of the BB Cream craze that has hit Asia the last few years. For those of you unfamiliar with this great “multi-tasking” cream, here’s a quick background: BB can stand for either “blemish balm” or “beauty balm” and was originally formulated in Germany as a healing ointment for post-laser skin treatments. Eventually, the Koreans turned the idea into a unique beauty product version that acts as the ultimate multi-tasker: a tinted moisturizer, a blemish concealer, a sunscreen, and anti-aging treatment in one! I mean, who would say no to a product like this?

I love Mamonde Total Solution Mineral Watery BB Cream SPF30+ which is very lightweight and hydrating. It glides on smoothly and looks very natural. I usually just put this on during the day and I’m good to go! The only problem with this product is that it comes in just one shade, which is for light/medium skin tones. I somehow got lucky as it blended into my skin tone perfectly. No worries though as most international cosmetic brands like Garnier, Maybelline, Clinique, MAC, and Bobbi Brown (just to name a few) have BB creams that come in different shades to choose from.

Despite my new-found obsession with Mamonde products, here are other great Korean beauty brands that are also definitely worth trying. 

O HUI

Laneige

Iope

Skin Food

The Face Shop

Etude House

Do you have a favorite Korean beauty product? I'd love to hear from you. 

LIFE IS A BEACH: PHOTO INSPIRATIONS Part 2

In my hometown of Manila, Philippines, it’s the monsoon season right now but over here in China and the rest of the northern hemisphere, summer is in full swing…the heat is on! The sun is shining, the pavements are sizzling, and the humidity levels are rising. In times like this, one can’t help but think of turquoise waters, white sands, salty air and beautiful beaches.

It just isn’t summer without the beach, and here in China, finding a beach can be a chore, as most are just not as accessible unless you live in perpetually sunny Hainan in the south.

So in celebration of the beginning of summer, I'd like to share some past photographs I took in Vietnam and the Philippines that inspire me not to give up the hunt for the perfect summer destination in China (no matter how hot it gets here!). To me, that would be the perfect combination of blue skies, tropical trees, summer sunsets and the beach. 

Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An, Vietnam

My friends Angela and Emma entering
the pristine waters of
Boracay, Philippines

Blue skies and 19th century architecture

at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Bataan, Philippines

Tropical trees in front of Casa Unisan

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Bataan, Philippines

A little shade beneath the summer sun

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Bataan, Philippines

Manila Bay summertime sunset
Manila, Philippines

JEWEL STATE OF MIND

I love accessories! They can dress up a simple outfit instantly or add a little flair and color to your regular wardrobe. My favorite accessories are colorful jewelry. It doesn’t matter whether they are costume jewelry or made of precious stones, because they are all extremely useful and beautiful to look at. The power of enhancing your style with the right accessories is limitless.

Colorful beaded bracelets are perfect for summer!
Photo: Michal Zacharzewski, SXC

Chinese beads and coins made into bracelets
Photo: Andrew Beierle, SXC

Here in China, shopping for accessories is a must for any visitor because of the endless variety and availability of big, bold, bright and beautiful pieces everywhere. Now that it’s summer over here, simple outfits are normally the way to go and adding colorful accessories can be the perfect warm weather look. Lately, I find myself drawn to jewelry with symbolic and spiritual connotations such as Buddha beads and jade bracelets. I also love turquoise jewelry because of their calming and serene color and it is just something that never goes out of style.

BUDDHA BEADS

My collection of Buddha bead bracelets (from bazaars around China)

Buddha beads are also known as “mala beads” or Tibetan Prayer Beads. They are normally used for reciting prayers/mantras and meditation. They are also said to carry good luck but many people wear them for purely decorative purposes. Although I am not Buddhist, I do love wearing the bracelets because of their tradition, symbolism and beauty. Plus it’s never bad to carry around a little bit of luck.

 JADE

Chinese Jade
Photo: Isidro Lam, SXC

Jewelry stand selling Jade in a Hong Kong marketplace
Photo: Morgane Constanty, SXC

Jade is a gemstone with special meaning in China for thousands of years because of its unique symbolic energy, purity, grace and beauty. Jade is said to stimulate creativity, mental agility, and have a balancing and harmonizing effect on the mind and body. Its beautiful green color is said to also have healing properties on the body especially on the kidneys, heart and stomach. I personally like wearing jade for its unique green color, simplicity, elegance and sophistication.

TURQUOISE 

I love turquoise and coral-colored pendants.
I bought these at a marketplace in Huangshan.

Turquoise beaded bracelets.
The way to wear them is to stack them up.
Photo: Mee Lin Woon, SXC

I’ve loved turquoise jewelry for many years now. I can’t get enough of its wonderful, calming and amazing color. It reminds me of the beach, the ocean, the waves and endless summer days. It is also elegant and makes a big statement to an otherwise simple outfit. Wear it with neutrals like white or black and you can never go wrong.

My favorite necklace this summer was a gift
from my aunt in Spain. It goes great with a
white blouse or dress.

What are your favorite accessories?

BEAUTY AND THE BEACH

Boracay Island, Philippines. My own photo.

Summer has officially started in China and I like to say that the madness has begun...the umbrellas are out (Chinese women would not let the harsh sun touch their beautiful skin), the humidity and heat are unbearable, and there's the endless yearning to get away for a few days to a really, nice stretch of beach.

The search for the perfect beach getaway doesn't come easy in Mainland China though. Northern cities such as Dalian and Qingdao have some pretty nice beaches but the water on the east coast tends to be quite cold almost year round. A much better alternative would be heading south to the beaches of Hong Kong (which are quite beautiful and underrated) or to the numerous beach resorts in Sanya on the Chinese island of Hainan where the sun simply doesn't stop shining. 

When it comes to beaches though, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Boracay Island, is found in my hometown of the Philippines. It is at this time that I miss it the most...its clear tranquil waters and powder soft white sand. There's just simply nothing like it in the world. However, it is the monsoon season right now in the Philippines and not the right time to visit. November - May (the dry season) would be the best time to visit.

Boracay Island, Philippines. My own photo.

While hunting for the ultimate beach getaway this summer, it's important to always arm yourself with the right products to beat the heat and protect your skin. Summer often calls for a few extras you wouldn't otherwise use the rest of the year. Here are some of my favorite products this summer, which have become essentials to me this season and I believe are perfect for everyone!

Summer Armor: my product essentials

Clean & Clear Oil Control Film ($3.59)
Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser (US$3)

In the summer, my face gets so oily that only one facial cleanser will do: Neutrogena Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser. I've tried much more expensive cleansers over the years but I still come back to this one a lot. This affordable drugstore find is a true gem! My face feels squeaky clean after cleansing and doesn't feel dry at all. I also love the light, citrusy scent. Likewise, I cannot leave the house without Clean & Clear Oil Control Film. This product is awesome and very easy to carry around at all times. The thin sheets absorb oil, grease and shine on your face completely and is fantastic for quick touch ups. I also love the uplifting grapefruit scent. It makes you look and feel fresher in an instant.  

Alba Botanica Natural Pure Lavender Sunscreen SPF45 (US$10.99) (113g)
Jason Sport Natural Sunblock SPF45 (US$9.87) (113g)

These two natural sunblocks don't have any harmful chemicals and are made with certified organic ingredients. Alba Botanica Natural Protection Pure Lavender Sunscreen SPF45 has a nice light, lavender scent which I love! Jason Sport Natural Sunblock SPF45 is sweat and water resistant which is perfect for me since I really hate reapplying! I know I should always put again after swimming but I sometimes forget which is why I also like getting an SPF of 30 or higher. 

Inoherb Olive Oil Hand Cream (US$1.50)

I am really loving this hand cream right now. Chinese brand Inoherb Olive Oil Hand Cream has become a staple in my bag this summer! It contains olive oil, honey and shea butter to moisturize hands. I love its light olive scent and its silky creaminess. I can't even believe how insanely low the price is! It can be addicting as I find myself putting it on many times a day! 

L'Oreal Nutri-Sleek Multi-Effect Protection Spray (US$7)

I discovered this the other day at Walmart and me and my hair are hooked! L'Oreal Nutri-Sleek Multi-Effect Protection Spray contains Argan Oil to moisturize your hair and keep it silky smooth. It also provides your hair with intensive protection from the sun's UV rays. I believe they only sell the spray in China. In other countries, the serum version is available.

Clinique High Impact Lip Colour SPF15 in Honey Blush (US$15)

I cannot get enough of Clinique High Impact Lip Colour SPF15 Honey Blush right now. It is the ultimate summer lipstick. It has SPF15 to protect your lips, moisturizes and is described as a warm pinkish nude with golden flecks. Really beautiful shade!

Estee Lauder Pure Color Shimmer Gloss in Racy Raspberry 

My mother-in-law gave me Estee Lauder Pure Color Shimmer Gloss in Racy Raspberry and I love it! You can see I’ve used it up quite a bit. It’s a light coral pink with a subtle shimmer. It originally comes in a set of two lip glosses so I don’t think you can buy them individually in the same particular shade anymore. However, there are many similar ones in Estee Lauder’s Pure Color range like Pure Color Gloss in Impulsive Coral (US$22.50) which is perhaps the closest color to this one.

So, what are your product essentials for summer? Send me a note and would love to hear about your choices. 

I don't really wear a lot of makeup in the summer but I never
go out without lipstick! Here I am wearing my favorite lipstick now,
Clinique High Impact Lip Colour in Honey Blush.

Huangshan City's Old Town Magic

Last weekend, Marc and I decided to get away from the city for awhile and breathe some fresh mountain air. So, we hopped on a bus which took us four hours south of Hefei to wonderful Huangshan City (locals also call it Tunxi, its original name). This quaint and beautiful mountain city which is located in the southernmost point of Anhui province is known for two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Mount Huangshan (which means “Yellow Mountain” in English) and Hongcun and Xidi, the ancient villages of Southern Anhui.

View from the my window on the bus as we near Huangshan City

A photo of Mount Huangshan

Ink painting showing Huangshan by painter Shitao circa 1670

Ironically, we actually didn’t get to go to any of these sites because we found out a little too late that although both sites surround the geographic expanse of the city, getting to them would take another 1-2 hour bus ride being 50-80 kilometers away from the city proper. The mountain is also best explored for at least 2-3 days because of its immensity and it is best to book tour packages or stay in one of the hotels located on the mountain. Since we were only staying 2 nights in Huangshan City and didn’t book any tour or tour guide for any of these sites, we decided to leave them for another trip and to just relax and enjoy the beautiful city of Huangshan and its one other famous attraction located right in the heart of its downtown area: The Old Town, also known as Tunxi Ancient Street or Song Street.

Me in front of The Old Gate at Tunxi Ancient Street

Tunxi Ancient Street in a way, kind of reminds me of Yu Yuan (Yu Gardens) in Shanghai, though the main difference is that it is much older and instead of a network of streets, this one consists of one main 1.2 kilometer street. Walking this street is truly like going through a portal back in time.

The street’s centuries-old history goes back all the way to the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). At that time, many architects and workmen from Tunxi lived in the city of Hangzhou (the Song Dynasty capital), and upon returning home copied the structural style and architecture in the big city, and so Tunxi Ancient Street was built. 

By the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Tunxi Ancient Street street had 47 stores with shops on both sides of the street featuring the local Anhui style of stone base, brick construction and tile roof. Nowadays,  the street is also used as a natural studio for films and period TV series in China. 

An ancient Chinese medicine store where you can buy herbs
for any ailment

Paint brushes and paintings on scrolls depicting Huangshan mountain

I loved this awesome stationery store
with cute cards and notebooks.

After walking for some time, this cute coffee shop
called Sweet Time Coffee enticed us to stop by.

The perfect shopping ender
which for sure they never made back then:
a great Banana Mango Milkshake!